成人论坛

Summary

  • US President Joe Biden agrees to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines, a defence official tells the 成人论坛, in a move seen as an attempt to slow down Russian troop advances

  • The US official confirms to the 成人论坛 that Ukraine has pledged to use only mines that remained active for a limited period of time and would not use them in densely-populated areas

  • Meanwhile, the US embassy in Kyiv is temporarily closed as it says it received information of a "potential significant air attack on 20 November"

  • Overnight, both Ukraine and Russia reported major drone attacks

  • Earlier, it was confirmed that US-made longer-range Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms) missiles had struck targets inside Russia only days after reports emerged that the White House had granted permission for their use

Live Reporting

Edited by Marita Moloney and Matt Spivey

  1. Russian gains accelerate as Ukraine's Kursk gamble falters

    The Russian military is accelerating its gains along the front line in Ukraine at a crucial time for the conflict.

    Data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows that Russia has gained almost six times as much territory in 2024 as it did in 2023, and is advancing towards key Ukrainian logistical hubs in the eastern Donbas region.

    Col Yevgeny Sasyko, a former head of strategic communications with Ukraine鈥檚 general staff, said Russia places 鈥減owerful jaws鈥 around the flanks of a city that slowly 鈥済rind through鈥 defences until they collapse.

    Meanwhile, Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August is faltering as Russian troops have pushed Kyiv's offensive back.

    Map showing Russian advances in Ukraine

    The ISW data shows Moscow鈥檚 forces have seized around 2,700 sq km of Ukrainian territory so far this year, compared with just 465 sq km in the whole of 2023.

    Despite its territorial gains, Russia's advance has come at a huge cost. An analysis carried out by 成人论坛 Russian confirmed that at least 78,329 troops have been killed since February 2022.

  2. US embassy in Kyiv temporarily closes over attack threat
    Breaking

    Building of the US embassy in KyivGetty Images

    The US embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed after receiving "specific information of a potential significant air attack on 20 November".

    "Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,"

    The embassy also recommended that US citizens should prepare to shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

  3. US aims to bolster Ukraine war effort with anti-personnel land mines

    A sign warning of a minefield stands near a defence positionReuters

    As we've reported, US President Joe Biden has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines, a US defence official tells the 成人论坛.

    This is seen as the latest move by the outgoing US administration to bolster Ukraine's war effort before Donald Trump returns to the White House on 20 January, and an attempt to slow Russian troops who have been steadily advancing in Ukraine's east in recent months.

    Ukraine was committed to not using such mines in densely-populated areas, the official said.

    Russia has deployed landmines liberally since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 but international objections to the use of such weapons on the grounds that they pose a risk to civilians had prevented the Biden administration from signing off on them.

    The US defence official confirmed to the 成人论坛 that Ukraine had pledged to use only mines that remained active for a limited period of time.

    The US "non-persistent" mines differ from Russia's as they become inert after a pre-set period of time - anywhere from four hours to two weeks.

  4. Biden agrees to give Ukraine anti-personnel mines

    Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the latest developments in Ukraine.

    You join as a US defence official tells the 成人论坛 that President Joe Biden has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines.

    The official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, said such mines would be delivered soon and Washington expected that they would be used on Ukraine's territory.

    It follows Sunday's news that Washington had agreed to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied longer-range missiles at Russian territory.

    Overnight, both Ukraine and Russia reported major drone attacks on their respective territories.

    Separately, the US embassy in Kyiv said it would be temporarily closed after it "received specific information of a potential significant air attack on 20 November".

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest news and analysis.